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Around three thousand people came together tonight for the common cause: “Konstantina, you are not alone!” The procession in support of Konstantina Kouneva was announced for 06:00 pm on the square in front of the old building of Athens University. A little bit after six o’clock the square was full of people, who came to support the Bulgarian syndicate member. Many regular citizens came to the protest, as well as 54 trade unions, which put up their posters with words in defense of Konstantina, who was splashed with vitriol on December 22^nd.

“Konstantina may never speak again,” says a colleague. “They silenced one voice but raised thousands,” “Konstantina’s killers should pay,” “Shut down the employer firms,” say some of the posters. One of them even shows a picture of Konstantina.

The main demand of the demonstrators is the murder attempt case not to be “covered” and forgotten. They want a detailed investigation from the police until the criminals are found and put to justice.

Another demand was about law 2596, which was voted for from Simitis’ government. The goal of the demonstrators is to forbid public firms to “over-hire” workers but to start signing contracts with them directly. They also want new laws, which will secure full job rights for all workers – independent of nationality, gender, or profession.

The people who came out and supported Konstantina do not want her voice to be left unheard or forgotten. Every one of them – and not only those who get 500 or 700 Euros per month without any benefits and insurances but the others – workers with high salaries and on good positions were also present at the protest. They want to have the freedom not only to be able to raise their voices against the inhuman work conditions but to expect actions from the government for improving the situation.

Ahead of the procession was the big poster of the cleaners and house maids syndicate, behind which Mrs. Vaso Tzouni, chairwoman of the syndicate, stood up. She said that Konstantina is fully supporting all demands brought up by the demonstration. She also added that this situation cannot keep going on for long. The workers need to have a specific work time schedule, lawful salaries, paid overtime hours, and also compensation when working under hard and unhealthy conditions. Konstantina Kouneva’s lawyer also participated in the demonstration together with other of her colleagues. It was strange that the usual syndicate faces, which lead demonstrations in support of the workers, were not present.

For a short time, people managed to get organized behind the big union’s posters and around 06:30pm the demonstration left for the Labor Ministry. The traffic was stopped in different parts of Athens. Together with the demonstration in Athens, few more demonstrations were organized in Thessaloniki and Ioannina in support of Konstantina Kouneva.

Marina Nikolova